JUNE 24, 2013

Ferrari disappointed to be dragged into Mercedes defence

Ferrari has admitted it is "disappointed" to have been used as part of Mercedes' defence as the German team escaped from the test-gate scandal with a light penalty.

Before the judges ruled that Mercedes be only reprimanded and banned from next month's young drivers test, its lawyer argued extensively at the international tribunal that Ferrari also did the wrong thing with recent private tyre tests.

Indeed, it emerged from last week's proceedings that while Ferrari used a 2011 car for its Pirelli tests, race driver Felipe Massa had been in action.

Italy's La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport said the verdict is "a joke" and "ridiculous", while even Germany's Bild and Auto Motor und Sport described it as "wishy washy" and "surprisingly lenient".

Roger Benoit, the veteran correspondent for Switzerland's Blick, wondered if the judgement was light "because they feared Mercedes' withdrawal".

"Without Mercedes, formula one would be a disaster -- next year they're also supplying Williams, Force India and McLaren with the new turbo engines", he added.